26 Feb 2019

Kgosi Malope II of Bangwaketse has pleaded with companies to help with funds for the renovation of the royal cemetery in Kanye.

Kgosi Malope said this at the fourth edition of the annual Kgosi Malope II Cycle challenge road race, which was organised by Tsosamotse, Bangwaketse Tribal Administration and Cycle for Life Club on Sunday.

The cycle challenge’s main aim is to raise funds for the development of Mmalekwa cemetery, which is the cemetery for Bangwaketse royals and other high profile people.

He said they needed money to start the project.

“So far, we have raised a substantial amount of money over the years, but the money is still not enough.

We request assistance from individuals or companies,” he said.

He noted that the cemetery had housed some elders from the village adding that if developed, it could become a tourist attraction.

“We have other plans besides the renovation of the royal cemetery site. We want to construct a community park and a business resource centre for the youth as a way of creating employment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Malope has assured cyclists that the challenge would be an annual event.

He said the initiative had grown over the years adding that it had attracted more than 200 cyclists so far.

“Initially, this was only meant to be done as a once off event,  but then we discovered that our cyclists were very much interested in the race, hence it had become an annual event,” he noted.

For his part,  president of Cycle for Life, Mmetla Masire thanked all cyclists who took part in the event.

He said some cyclists were preparing for the Cape Argus Cycling challenge to be held in Cape Town in March.

The cyclists participated in the three categories, of 110km, 60km and 30km distances.

Urban Malete of Team Swift, got position one in the 110km elite males followed by Gontse Letlhokwe of GCC, while third position went to Rebonetse Mekgwe of John Mall. ENDS